I Have Need of Thee

An antique legend speaks to this effect:
‘John in his youth had woo'd and won a maid,
But, of his own felicity afraid,
Fear'd to be its triumphant architect.
Wherefore from week to week did he expect
Until his Lord and Master should have said
“Thou mayest,” or “mayest not.” One night, wind-stay'd,
The fishers saw the o'ercast sky fire-fleck'd.
Then through the blinding spindrift of the storm
There seem'd to walk a Shape on Galilee
Whose footsteps were not wetted of the spray.
And by the boat the white mysterious form
Stood closest John, and seem'd to him to say,
Looking him through, “John! I have need of thee.”’